Call for proposals
SME Finance & Development European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Background
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD” or “the Bank”) recognises the challenge of inclusion as well as being an engine for economic growth. A core focus of the EBRD in countries of operations is to address market failures and give micro and small enterprises (“MSEs”) equal opportunities to access knowledge and advice so that they can deliver in terms of economic performance and growth, job creation, and a number of other social gains, thus contributing fully to building free, market-oriented, and democratic societies.
Young people aged 18–34 make up 25.8% of the Kyrgyz Republic’s population, and youth-led MSMEs account for approximately 45% of all MSMEs nationwide. Despite limited formal experience, young entrepreneurs in the Kyrgyz Republic are actively engaged with digital tools and technologies, presenting strong potential for capacity-building through modern, self-paced learning formats. However, access to business knowledge and practical support remains limited, particularly in rural areas, where structured entrepreneurial education and advisory services are often unavailable.
To address these challenges and promote youth entrepreneurship across the region, the EBRD launched the Youth in Business (YiB) Programme in 2023. The programme is designed to support youth-led MSMEs through a combination of access to finance and targeted advisory services. It’s structure addresses both the supply and demand sides of youth MSMEs' financial inclusion: on the supply side, the programme offers dedicated credit lines to Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) for on-lending to youth entrepreneurs; on the demand side, it provides technical assistance to help PFIs develop and deliver tailored financial and non-financial services (NFS) aligned with the specific needs of youth-led businesses.
Bailyk Finance Company became the first Partner Financial Institution (PFI) in the Kyrgyz Republic to join the YiB Programme. Youth-led MSMEs currently represent around 30% of its total MSME portfolio. With 78% of its clients residing in rural areas and around 70% of MSME loans allocated to agriculture, Bailyk Finance is well-positioned to support underserved youth segments across the country.
Under the EBRD’s technical assistance, Bailyk Finance is developing a dedicated online NFS portal. The platform will serve as an interactive online space offering structured, practical and accessible non-financial services to young entrepreneurs. It will play a key role in building business knowledge, strengthening entrepreneurial skills, and fostering long-term business resilience among youth-led MSMEs in the Kyrgyz Republic.
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Deadline: July 21, 2025